Gig Reviews part 5: Hull2017 & Alluri

Like all good nights, Tuesday started with a text message: a friend was at a 'Hull City of Culture' promotional event in London and there was room for a little ‘un…

So, before you could say ‘East Yorkshire’s finest city’, I was in the St. Paul’s Suite of the Southbank Centre with a glass of wine in one hand and a 2017 event guide in the other. Perfect!

And what a line-up! John Grant will be curating Atlantic Flux, a music festival focussing on Hull’s cultural links with Scandinavia, The Royal Ballet are presenting a show at The New Theatre, The Radio 1 Big Weekend is heading into town… and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. If you haven’t already, check out the Hull2017 website. You won’t be disappointed.

Alluri, Servant Jazz Quarters, London

My night didn’t stop there. Next on the musical menu was Indian singer/songwriter Alluri in Dalston.

Born in Hyderabad, Redd Alluri grew up studying classical music. This all changed when a cousin brought back a heap of vinyl from their travels to the UK. Fast forward a few years and Alluri finds himself living in London, dressed in black and fronting a four-piece band.

His style has a dark edge (the rhythm section also play with fellow noir rockers, Jim Jones and The Righteous Mind). This is put in light relief with hook laden songs and Alluri’s dry sense of humour: “It’s been intense so, far!” he quips mid-set, “Now It gets more intense!”. With a single produced by Grammy winner Tommaso Colliva and a tour of Indian festivals under his belt, Alluri is one to watch.

So, a night in which I circumnavigated Hull, London and India – and I’d only planned to stay at home watching Narcos on Netflix. Sometimes, a text message can make all the difference.

Where to next?

Who knows? There's talk of a Mexican Wrestling night somewhere in Bethnal Green... If you have a show that I MUST go to, let me know: @stephensonrich.

Until next time, keep it tight.

#IAMRICH

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